Singapore towards an election amid generational change and uncertainty over tariffs
With just a few months to go before elections in November, a poll reveals that only 44 per cent of voters have already made up their minds, with the largest number in favour of the Popular Action Party (PAP). The vote will test the government of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which is facing a political transition with many younger voters still undecided. The uncertain economic scenario risks slowing down economic growth in the city-state.
Singapore (AsiaNews) – Four out of ten voters would vote for the People's Action Party (PAP) if general elections were held tomorrow, this according to a recent YouGov survey; however, the poll also shows that most Singaporeans have not yet decided for whom to vote, a sign of growing uncertainty, which could be exacerbated by the global economic situation.
The poll, conducted between 25 March and 1 April with a sample of 1,845 Singaporeans over the age of 21, shows that 44 per cent have already chosen whom to vote for. Another 19 per cent said they were still undecided, 13 per cent said they were “leaning towards a particular party, but remain open to change”, while 11 per cent will decide during the election campaign and 3 per cent on election day.
A date for the election has not yet been set for the election, but it should take place by November.
The survey shows that if the voting were held today, 40 per cent of voters would vote for the PAP – in government since 1959 – while 12 per cent would choose the Workers' Party (WP), the main opposition force.
Among decided voters, 63 per cent support the PAP, while 15 per cent prefer the WP. The other parties, i.e. the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), the National Solidarity Party and the Singapore Democratic Party, each had the support of 2 per cent of decided voters.
The data also show how age plays out in voting behaviour. Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is the most uncertain, with only 30 per cent saying that they had already chosen a party. Conversely, more than 50 per cent of the so-called baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) said they already knew who to vote for.
In terms of perception, half of respondents said they had a favourable opinion of the PAP, while 42 per cent looked favourably to the WP and 18 per cent on the PSP.
As for the government's performance, 43 per cent believe that the PAP has done well and deserved to be reconfirmed in government, while 22 per cent believe that the party had held power for too long and the time for a change had come.
The upcoming elections are of particular importance since they are the first for Singapore’s new Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, who took over from Lee Hsien Loong last May.
The global economic context has increased uncertainty. The recent introduction of a 10 per cent tariff by the US administration led by Donald Trump and the risk of a trade war could affect both the national economy and voters' choices in the months to come.
In a recent address to parliament, Wong said that “it doesn't look like the 10 per cent universal rate is open for negotiation” since it is the minimum tariff imposed on all countries with which the United States trades, and yet could cause an upheaval in Singapore's economy.
Wong pointed out that despite a free trade agreement between Singapore and the United States, the tariff was still imposed, potentially leading to a downward revision of GDP growth forecast, currently estimated at 1 to 3 per cent for 2025.
Singapore's economy is based on trade. Despite initial benefits that could derive from a diversification of investments by the main economic powers, the city-state too would suffer a slowdown in its economy in the event of a worldwide recession.
“The government will do everything we can to steer Singapore through the choppy waters and ensure no one is left behind," the prime minister said.
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17/02/2024 16:34
19/04/2022 13:04
